The Influence of Zoning: Architects Advocate for Change

The final public hearing on the NYC Department of City Planning’s Zoning for Quality and Affordability (ZQA) proposal took place on 02.10.16 before the City Council Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises. The hearing came after the City Planning Commission voted to approve a slightly updated version of the text on 02.03.16.

AIANY testified in support of the plan, and reiterated previous public statements. ZQA will help facilitate the construction of affordable and senior-oriented housing, offer architects more flexibility to create better buildings that are more responsive to local contexts, spark the development of housing on empty lots, and decouple the creation of housing from parking requirements, thereby encouraging the use of mass transit and enabling a more sustainable city. The proposed zoning can improve the quality of life for New Yorkers and increase economic activity within the architecture, engineering, and construction markets, bolstering the creation of jobs.

Over the last year, AIANY has participated in discussions about ZQA and its implications for NYC neighborhoods. We have hosted public programs with the NYC Department of City Planning at the Center for Architecture to inform the design community about the upcoming changes and solicited input from architects in all five boroughs.

On 02.16.16, AIA Brooklyn and AIA Queens will host a forum with the NYC Department of Buildings on the Inspection Ready system that is now in effect. Thomas Connors, Senior Executive Director of Inspection Services, will present and answer questions from the audience. More information and RSVP instructions available here.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city will create a Shelter Repair Scorecard to report on the conditions of homeless shelters and track progress made by the expanded repair program.

New York City’s Procurement Policy Board rules have changed to help increase city contract awards to MWBE businesses. The changes will increase the micro-purchase limit for construction services procurement, and allow MWBE certification to factor into bids.

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